Laura Carrell Mather

LAURA CARRELL MATHER

1918-2015

Laura Carrell Mather was born in Holdenville, Oklahoma, on September 18, 1918. She was the daughter of Newton Addison Carrell, who was the County Assessor. Her mother was Myrtle Johnson Carrell. As teenagers, both Newt and Myrt came to Oklahoma with their families in covered wagons from Arkansas to take part in the Oklahoma Land Rush. In this historic event, at the shot of a pistol, individuals could claim land that was once part of the “Indian Territories” for their own. Newt and Myrt met at a fish fry en route, married, and lived as sharecroppers in Oklahoma, moving about frequently to make a living and rise a family. Laura was one of 10 children, the fourth youngest. She is survived by her sister, Ruth Carrell, who drove from Oklahoma City to be with us today.

Laura went to grade school at Social Hill where her sister Georgia taught in a one room school house. She continued her schooling at Moore High School, where she was chosen as valedictorian of her class. After high school, she attended Oklahoma College for Women at Chickasaw.

When she was in grade school, one day she was weeding the field with her sister Geneva, as part of her family chores. A small, early model, 6 seater propeller plane flew overhead and Geneva said our teacher says that people are paid to work on those planes. Laura said “I want to do that” and did. Laura proceeded to become a stewardess. Because early stewardess’ had to be registered nurses, after college, Laura proceeded to nursing school in Denver, Colorado. Upon graduation, she worked as a nurse at several locations including Cook County Hospital.

Laura was hired as a stewardess by United Airlines, after being selected as one of more than 600 applicants. As a United stewardess, she lived in Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Denver, and Chicago. In Chicago, she was promoted to head stewardess.

One day, her father went to his mailbox in rural Oklahoma. When he returned, he said to Myrtle, “I believe there is a picture of Laurie on the cover of this magazine.” Myrt replied “Dick, now what would Laura be doing on the cover of a national magazine.” Sure enough, Laura was the stewardess picked to be on the cover of the United airlines magazine.

While working as chief stewardess, flying out of Chicago, she met and married Robert S Mather. They had three children, Roberta, James, and Martha. Although they started their married life off in Hyde Park near the University of Chicago, they soon moved to Kenilworth, where Laura lived for 62 years until her death.

She was active in the Girl Scouts where she participated as a troop leader, organizer of Scamper Night, and took girls on camping trips. She was active in the Kenilworth Union Church where she was regularly attended services until shortly before her death, taught Sunday School, was the head of Book Department for the Rummage Sale for over a decade, and chairman of the entire Kenilworth Union Church Rummage Sale for several years.

She went back to college and received a Bachelors Degree from Northwestern University in 1975.

She was active in her community throughout her life. She was part of the Kenilworth Historical Society, Library Board, Infant Welfare, Neighbors, and Kenilworth Garden Club. She was chosen as the North Shore Super Senior several years ago.

After her husband, Bob, died, she continued to work in the family printing business for many years. Until her death, she was President of the company.

She died on April 18, 2015. She was 96 years old.